Film ReviewsStaying Human: The Curated Life of Michael Franti
Jan 23, 2019 Anchorage Press
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Staying Human is a documentary by the musician Michael Franti; it is directed by Franti, produced by Franti, stars Franti, it’s about Franti, with music by Franti… so for viewers who LOVE Franti and want a piece of him, come and get it! For the rest, well, that’s a different story. The documentary is an ambitious and well-meaning project that takes viewers along with Franti on a personal journey to grief-stricken places out in the world and in his personal life.
Michael Franti is a talented musician with a substantial following. His music is informed by his experiences being and staying “human”, the documentary is an acknowledgement of this and an ode to it, but making films is not easy, and folks that can do everything on a film are few and far between. The all-encompassing role of auter-star-composer has its shortcomings, and Staying Human is no exception. Staying Human comes across as self-indulgent even if it does provide some compelling human interest stories along the way.
Seeing Staying Human calls to mind how just about everyone has developed a curated life and edited existence in the current state of social affairs, Franti is no exception, few are. After all, who hasn’t read studies about life-envy due to other people’s Facebook posts? Who doesn’t edit and strive for the perfect selfie? Who doesn’t, at most times, try to look and act the part they want to be? Fake it ‘til you make it? Or simply become a better version of yourself at some point along the way? It’s hard to tell sometimes. The film is Franti’s curated version of himself, and if you take at his word, then you have to believe that Franti is a true-hearted, salt-of-the-earth, healer, kind of guy who cries a lot and is one step away from being canonized; and perhaps he is, as he goes around the world loving and listening to folks who have experienced tragic events and personal grief. The film has some beautiful moments with folks, but it tends to go from what feels like a beautifully rendered music video to a UNICEF commercial. This isn’t meant to minimize Franti’s or others’ life experiences, pain or loss, but as far as films go, Staying Human lacks balance. Staying Human does provide insight into Franti’s creative process, mainly it makes it a point to show that he reflects his own experiences in his music; this is something true of most artists, but in the case of Franti, Staying Human does him a disservice because it makes it seem like he needs to witness or feel tragedy in order to create, which is likely not true. Seeing Franti interact with the world makes apparent how well-meaning he is, but it also rings of something contrived when he’s barefoot in his shabby-chic attire and sports his beaten up guitar case and instrument as he travels the world to connect with others, when he’s not bundled in his Marmot coat, cruising down in a tesla and with a reported $2 million in his pocket.
Staying Human comes available Video on Demand on January 25, 2019. Check Amazon and iTunes for viewing opportunities.
Produced and Directed by Michael Franti
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 94 minutes
Release: World-wide, January 25, 2019
Michael Franti is a talented musician with a substantial following. His music is informed by his experiences being and staying “human”, the documentary is an acknowledgement of this and an ode to it, but making films is not easy, and folks that can do everything on a film are few and far between. The all-encompassing role of auter-star-composer has its shortcomings, and Staying Human is no exception. Staying Human comes across as self-indulgent even if it does provide some compelling human interest stories along the way.
Seeing Staying Human calls to mind how just about everyone has developed a curated life and edited existence in the current state of social affairs, Franti is no exception, few are. After all, who hasn’t read studies about life-envy due to other people’s Facebook posts? Who doesn’t edit and strive for the perfect selfie? Who doesn’t, at most times, try to look and act the part they want to be? Fake it ‘til you make it? Or simply become a better version of yourself at some point along the way? It’s hard to tell sometimes. The film is Franti’s curated version of himself, and if you take at his word, then you have to believe that Franti is a true-hearted, salt-of-the-earth, healer, kind of guy who cries a lot and is one step away from being canonized; and perhaps he is, as he goes around the world loving and listening to folks who have experienced tragic events and personal grief. The film has some beautiful moments with folks, but it tends to go from what feels like a beautifully rendered music video to a UNICEF commercial. This isn’t meant to minimize Franti’s or others’ life experiences, pain or loss, but as far as films go, Staying Human lacks balance. Staying Human does provide insight into Franti’s creative process, mainly it makes it a point to show that he reflects his own experiences in his music; this is something true of most artists, but in the case of Franti, Staying Human does him a disservice because it makes it seem like he needs to witness or feel tragedy in order to create, which is likely not true. Seeing Franti interact with the world makes apparent how well-meaning he is, but it also rings of something contrived when he’s barefoot in his shabby-chic attire and sports his beaten up guitar case and instrument as he travels the world to connect with others, when he’s not bundled in his Marmot coat, cruising down in a tesla and with a reported $2 million in his pocket.
Staying Human comes available Video on Demand on January 25, 2019. Check Amazon and iTunes for viewing opportunities.
Produced and Directed by Michael Franti
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 94 minutes
Release: World-wide, January 25, 2019